Excerpts from Church Discipline 5

RESTORING DISCIPLINED MEMBERS
In Gal. 6:1, we read: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." A church which is not in a condition to forgive an offending brother is not in a condition to discipline him. The spiritually strong members of the church should strive with all longsuffering and gentleness to reconcile the poor offender and bring him back into fellowship, if he will permit it.

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he pled with them to forgive such a man. He said, "Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted by the many (the majority). So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him," 11 Cor. 2:6-8.

From Church Discipline by Lester Stewart Walker, 1913--1982